Farmingdale ponders alfresco dining

Farmingdale officials trying to revitalize their downtown say attracting more patrons to restaurants and bars by allowing outdoor seating is a key element of their plan.

But there are no rules governing outside dining, so the village board is developing an ordinance to provide them. The board held a hearing on its draft Monday night and may vote on it May 2 after making revisions.

"The desire of the board is to have some alfresco dining," Mayor George Starkie said. He said that, although the village has allowed the practice informally, "We want to continue it with the least amount of impact on the community."

The law would allow owners to put seating in front of or behind their establishments after obtaining a permit. Board members suggested it would cost either $50 or $100. Starkie said the fees should be dedicated to beautification efforts.

"It's a very nice idea," Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce president Debbie Poldolski said of outdoor seating Tuesday. "But we don't want to have it encroaching on the ability of pedestrians to walk on the sidewalks. So you have to have some kind of rules in place."

Restaurants would be allowed to take orders and serve food and beverages outside. Commercial establishments that also serve food but are not restaurants would not be allowed to take orders or serve food and beverages outside, but patrons could take their purchases outside to tables and chairs.

To obtain a permit, the business owner would have to submit a layout showing at least 5 feet of space between the seating area and the curb, and fixed objects such as fire hydrants. The tables and chairs would have to be stored inside when not in use.

Under the proposed ordinance, outdoor dining would be limited to 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. No orders could be taken after 10 p.m. No outdoor cooking or outdoor music would be allowed. Consumption of alcoholic beverages would only be allowed when accompanied by service and consumption of food.

The outdoor dining area and surrounding sidewalk would have to be swept and washed down each night before closing.

Croxley Ales Ale House owner Chris Werle said he has had five tables on the front edge of his property on Main Street since he opened three years ago. "Everybody likes to be out in the fresh air when it's nice out," he said, and the outdoor tables help his business. He added that he uses them past 11 p.m. and would like to continue doing that because they are on his land and not on the sidewalk, and there are no homes nearby.

Starkie said the village is likely to issue special use permits to allow for longer hours or other exceptions.

The only opposition to the ordinance at the hearing came from Terry Robey, whose Cornelia Street home abuts a bar. "You're going to increase the noise level and the drunks," she said. "It's bad enough now, but it's going to be horrendous."

Robey, who said she has to call the police regularly, urged the board to allow outdoor seating only in front of establishments.